Night fell.
A cool breeze blew from the distant snowy mountains, sweeping over the cathedral's bell tower, entering the royal family's residence in the Holy City, and stirring the strands of Diana's hair across her forehead…
After shedding her armor, Diana, dressed in a silk slip dress, sat at her desk, propped on her hands, her eyes glazed over.
This operation was highly secretive.
A week ago, the Holy Knights suddenly proposed a joint exercise, and it wasn't until this morning, upon reaching the rendezvous point, that the commander revealed the true objective of the operation. They then marched several miles to the lake, netting all the demons who were preparing for a meeting.
As Diana recalled the day's events, her maid knocked on the door:
“Your Highness, you’ve worked hard all day, with a forced march and participating in the operation. Won't you eat something?”
“I have no appetite.”
“If you continue like this, your body won’t be able to take it. How about some soup first…?”
“I said I have no appetite! Alright… I still have things to do; don't disturb me.”
Diana snapped, then forced herself to calm down.
She was usually not one to be emotionally unstable, but today… or more accurately, tonight, after seeing Mil, she felt unusually agitated.
The notebook on the desk lay open. Since returning to the residence, Diana had been trying to sort out this operation…
But two hours had passed, and she had written less than a line.
Her mind kept replaying Mil's few words: “Who are you?” and “Nice to meet you, I am…”
Diana shook her head vigorously, deciding not to think about it anymore. The most important thing now was to figure out the problems behind this operation…
That Mil's plan succeeded was, in itself, absurd.
If it were just catching a few Cultists or demon spies, that would be one thing;
But how did he manage to trick the Undead army's general and the Blood Clan Princess into coming?
Even before she left the cathedral, that guy wouldn't even look her in the eye!
“Hiss… that's not right…”
Diana slapped her forehead again, forcefully pulling her thoughts back—
Why did the demons fall for the trick?
Was it just because someone stood up and claimed to be the Demon God's Child?
Either Mil used some special means, or the Demon God's Child truly descended.
The latter was unlikely, as the chaos holy stone's seal had not yet been broken;
But if it was the former, how did Mil do it?
What did he mean, “nice to meet you”? Just because of that trivial matter from childhood, he completely turned his back and disowned her?
“Bang—!”
Diana slammed the book shut and forcefully hit herself on the forehead with it.
The demons weren't that foolish. Either they confirmed the accuracy of the information through some means;
Or this was their conspiracy all along…
Moreover, when Diana saw Mil today, she felt a strange sensation deep down, and her intuition told her that Mil was not right…
Could that guy genuinely not remember her?
“Hiss… so annoying…”
Diana ruffled her hair, then decided to rest for a while…
But as soon as she relaxed, her mind uncontrollably began replaying Mil's every word and action…
Directly opposite the Royal Residence was Leia Tower, from which Mil's room, currently lit, could be seen.
And Mil, in his room, was writing furiously…
Besides the stratagem to corrupt Diana, he also meticulously reviewed and summarized the reasons for the failure of this operation—
Insufficient secrecy and excessive trust in Alice.
And then there was that damned idiot William. He actually believed this plan? Which organ did he use to think that through?
Indeed, a villain's elaborate schemes are no match for a fool's sudden inspiration.
Just as Mil was still feeling frustrated, the monster book beside him suddenly let out a meaningful hum.
After the seal was broken, the voice of the Demon Lord's daughter, Miley, came through:
“My Lord, if you wish, I can go… deal with that young man named Mil.”
“Hiss… you…”
Mil helplessly pursed his lips, reorganized his thoughts, and then said:
“No need. He is my spy planted beside the Saintess. This failure was a coincidence. Moreover, the Holy City is very dangerous now; there's no need for you to risk coming.”
“Please forgive me, to continue the slumber plan, we have already returned to the Holy City and are preparing… Unfortunately, our information was not timely enough, and Mage Theron was captured. As for Mr. Mil, can you confirm that he has not betrayed the Abyss?”
That was a good question. Had Mil betrayed the Abyss? Even the Demon God probably wanted to ask.
Mil was speechless.
“Miley, I remember that before the first night, you couldn't become a true Demon. Mil's true strength is that of a second-rank mage. How would you deal with him?”
“Please rest assured, with my strength and skill, dealing with him is more than enough. Just give the command, and I will immediately…”
“Stop! He is still useful, and whether he is loyal or not is not for you to concern yourselves with!”
Mil quickly interrupted, feeling a chill run down his spine, fearing that an arrow might fly through the window the next second.
“My Lord, Mil has now been placed on the demons' top wanted list, I'm afraid…”
“Then I'll leave it to you. You are responsible for protecting him well.”
The young girl on the other end hesitated for a moment before replying in a deep voice:
“Yes… I will protect him in secret. The Holy City has been full of dangers recently, and Mother is still very worried about your safety, My Lord…”
“Enough! Meridiana Sidi, tell your mother not to try to probe my identity again before the chaos holy stone's seal is broken. If it happens again, I will consider it your betrayal.”
“Please forgive me. Everything according to your will, my Master.”
Mil indignantly closed the magic book. These feudal lords were very shrewd; outwardly loyal, but secretly harboring ill intentions.
Once they knew his current identity, he could be ambushed at any time…
In the game's IF-line story, “The Prophetic Dream of the black magic crown,” there was an instance where, before the “chaos holy stone” was unsealed, Radu, a traitor of the Blood Clan, seized power and refined Mil's soul, causing the “Demon God's Child” to be replaced.
Many demons harbored such thoughts, and now, Mil was also on the wanted list…
Headache.
After thinking for a while, Miley came from the Duchy, and now in the Holy City, she possessed considerable strength and skill…
Could she be Lilith's personal guard? Perhaps even a member of the Holy Flame Knights?
The personal knight by the school beauty's side.TXT
If that were truly the case, to be able to infiltrate beside the Grand Duke, this Demon Lord must be quite capable.
After all, Lilith's grandfather was a high-ranking Grand Sage of the Holy See, and before his martyrdom, his strength was equivalent to an eighth-rank Archmage. The sacred barrier he left at home alone could keep most demons out.
“Thump, thump, thump—”
The door suddenly knocked, and Alice's excited voice came from inside:
“Brother Mil! I've written down the next step of the plan. Do you want to take a look?”
Mil covered his forehead, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him.
On the other side…
Gothic pointed arch windows cut the moonlight, and a brass astrolabe and faded parchment were scattered on the tortoiseshell-inlaid writing desk;
The steel pen on the desk was slanted in the inkwell, and the wax seal on the letter still carried residual warmth.
Lilith closed her book and looked at her mother, who stood beside her with folded arms, her face gloomy.
“My Lord, it seems… unwilling to show himself.”
“Hmm, he is even more cautious than imagined… That's good. We don't need to risk angering the Demon God. As for Ibon… let him be.”